Phil Foden delivered an impressive performance as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in the Premier League on Wednesday night
When Manchester City’s opener went in against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, Phil Foden turned to face the Etihad crowd and roared them on as he raced to join in the celebrations. When he came off with 10 minutes to go, the roar was reciprocated.
Foden got a huge reception from the home supporters as he made way following his best performance in a number of months. There was a bear hug from his beaming manager.
The 25-year-old has been a shadow of his best in the second half of this campaign. But he showed glimpses off the bench at Brentford on Saturday and built on that cameo against Palace.
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In a slow start to proceedings, Foden was one player who looked like making things happen, and it was no surprise to see him create the opener with a delicious backheel that set Antoine Semenyo free to finish.
Foden wasn’t finished there, hooking on Josko Gvardiol’s clipped pass to create City’s second for Omar Marmoush and he nearly had a hat-trick of assists before the break only for Dean Henderson to superbly keep out Josko Gvardiol’s header.
Even in a second half low on quality, Foden kept going and worked hard on and off the ball, earning the man of the match award and praise from his manager.
“We want the best for Phil, and Phil has to deliver what he has done for many, many years,” said Guardiola after the midweek victory.
“He felt how people loved him, the standing ovation from the actions. People want him to be happy. The first goal, the second one, the control he does. The box-to-box player.
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“He is a player with incredible attributes otherwise he would not have been a player for many years in the academy, or for many years been here winning six Premier Leagues and all the trophies we have won together. His contribution has been amazing.”
Foden will hope to contribute again in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea and recapture the form he showed early in the campaign, before falling out of the XI in recent months.
“I would say I had a good half season, the first half, and dropped off a bit then struggled to find my place in the team,” Foden said to Sky Sports after the win over Palace.
“It happens when you have quality players around you and they are more at it than you, so I’ve had to wait and be patient, train as hard as I can, and when you get your moment you have to take it.”
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